Before copying and pasting a letter below....here is a response we received from Jim McMahan....
It is much more effective if you do not send form letters to council members. All email get scanned automatically and repeat words like in a form letter get sorted. Just a short email of your own making is good.
Below are just ideas of what to write and samples we have received from others. It seems more effective to write your own short letter.
Thanks for your support!!!!!
Dear,
This letter serves as notice to my deep opposition to the proposed building of a two-story Kohl's store in Forest Hill, MD 21050. This site, as I'm sure your office is well aware, backs to an elementary school and also serves as the entrance to the neighborhood of Forest Lakes. While development is inevitable, the Community is not looking for, nor should a rural community such as this have to burden an increase in traffic that would accompany a business such as Kohl's. Again, this location is in the middle of an elementary school, and the Park & Rec fields for the Forest Hill Community.
Please help us understand how sandwiching a box store amidst an elementary school, Park & Rec Facilities and a rural neighborhood on a two-lane road, already overburdened by local traffic, is a benefit to the Community and County as a whole. Poor research & respect to the surrounding areas with regards to the proposed construction is a reflection of the integrity of the County's development plan.
Our Community serves as a gateway to larger shopping and business area of Bel Air, MD, where a Kohl's already has a location. We do not want the character, integrity, safety & value of our Community spoiled by the construction of Kohl's or other such box stores.
Respectfully,
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Mr. Councilman
I am a concerned resident of Forest Lakes in Forest Hill, MD and I'm
strongly opposed to Kohl's going into our rural development. This
store would be next to an elementary school and the possibility of
accidents caused by this project frighten me.
There is a Kohl's store located approximately 7 miles from here and
we see no need to add a new one. I've been a Harford County resident
my entire life and have always supported my community and I'm hurt
that our Council representatives are failing me.
Please consider helping us stop this project!
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Mr. Councilman,
I have recently learned of the plans for a Kohl's store to be built here in Forest Hill. As a resident, I strongly object to having the store come to our town. We certainly don't need another Kohl's because the Bel Air Kohl’s is just a short drive away. The location of the proposed store couldn't be worse – Having Forest Lakes Elementary be shadowed by a giant box store?! I think it would bring too much traffic to the school zone and it would be a major eye sore. Route 24 is already crowded and has been the site of some major accidents. Bringing the store here will only make matters worse.
If Kohl's is built in Forest Hill, I (and many of my friends and neighbors), will never go inside the store AND we will stop shopping at any Klein’s store (or gas station). Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
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Dear Councilman,
I would like you to know that I am strongly opposed to the building of a Kohl's or other large box store at the corner of Osborne Parkway and Rt. 24 in Forest Hill, MD, right next to Forest Lakes Elementary School. I feel that building a box store such as Kohl's will….
1. Be very unsafe for the children going to Forest Lakes Elementary (most of whom are walkers) because of the increased traffic including tractor trailers.
2. Decrease Forest Hill's property values
3. Increase traffic congestion on and around Osborne
In my opinion, building the Kohl's will have a significantly negative impact on the Forest Hill community. We do NOT need a Kohl's out here…we have one that is less than 7 miles away and I feel that once you allow large buildings like this one out here others will come and our rural Forest Hill will be built up like Bel Air.
I would like to see development of the previous upscale plan that was shown to us about 1 ½ years ago that included restaurants, a coffee shop, a small scale gym, etc. That is what Forest Hill needs more that a Kohl's and a giant paved parking lot.
Thank you for listening to me and please let me know if there is anything you can do to stop this construction.
I feel I speak for the entire Forest Hill community stating that WE DO NOT WANT A KOHL'S HERE!!!!
Sincerely,